Combat sports fans tuned in on Saturday afternoon as Misfits Boxing returned with another high-profile event broadcast live on DAZN from the Copper Bank Arena in London, England. Headlined by a compelling welterweight collision between reality television personality Joey Essex and digital creator Dapper Laughs, the fight card promised and delivered an afternoon filled with celebrity spectacle, high-stakes athletic debuts, and unique matchup formats designed to capture the attention of the modern combat sports audience.
The event, overseen by managing editor-in-chief of MMA Fighting and executive director of combat sports at SB Nation Bryan Tucker, brought together a diverse roster of internet personalities, experienced coaches, and crossover fighters. With both main event combatants entering the ring riding momentum from successful outings in their previous Misfits Boxing appearances, anticipation had reached a fever pitch by the time the broadcast commenced at 1:30 p.m. ET.
In the main event of the afternoon, Joey Essex and Dapper Laughs squared off in the welterweight division. Both fighters had previously tasted victory under the Misfits banner, raising the stakes as they looked to cement their status within the crossover boxing landscape. The matchup blended mainstream celebrity culture with the increasingly popular crossover fighting phenomenon, drawing a passionate crowd to the Copper Bank Arena and a vast global audience streaming via DAZN.
Beyond the marquee matchup, the main card featured a fascinating supporting lineup that highlighted the unpredictable nature of modern influencer boxing. One of the afternoon’s most intriguing storylines revolved around the crossover of traditional martial arts coaching into the celebrity boxing spotlight. Plinio Cruz, widely recognized for his work as a coach for elite mixed martial arts star Alex Pereira, made his official Misfits Boxing debut on Saturday. Cruz stepped into the ring to face Gary Olive, who serves as the coach for Chase DeMoor. The rivalry carried extra layers of narrative weight, as Olive previously coached against Cruz’s team, setting the stage for a compelling battle of cornermen turned combatants following DeMoor’s injury setback.
The rest of the main card showcased Misfits Boxing’s penchant for creative and unconventional bout types. The lineup featured a high-intensity welterweight and crossover showcase that included a diverse array of combatants and formats. Among the featured bouts, Ambush Buzzworl took on Swarms in a clash that promised explosive action, while James Collins squared off against Big Stacks in another notable matchup designed to test the limits of the crossover division.
Jordan McCann and Mo Dean also locked horns on the main card, adding further depth to an afternoon that prioritized entertainment and competitive drive in equal measure. The card’s international flavor and eclectic mix of personalities underscored how far crossover boxing has evolved as a commercial and athletic enterprise.
Adding to the traditional boxing structure, the event pushed the envelope with unique team-based and multi-person formats. A highly anticipated survivor tag matchup brought together Andrew Howson, Joey Knight, Lil CraCra, and Charles Bennett in a chaotic and strategic multi-fighter contest that tested endurance, ring awareness, and tactical alliance-building. Additionally, the event featured a tag-team bout pairing the duo of Lil T and Cracky Tokky against the team of Nitboy and Kane West, offering fans a fast-paced variation of standard boxing rules.
Women’s crossover boxing was also represented on the main card, with Carla Jade and Erica Night stepping into the ring to showcase their skills and add to the competitive depth of the London event.
As the fights unfolded at the Copper Bank Arena, the results added clarity to the evolving rankings and future matchmaking possibilities within the Misfits Boxing ecosystem. With another successful broadcast in the books, the promotion continued to solidify its footprint in the combat sports world, blending athletic competition with modern entertainment.
